The Perfect Team ♡
Trisha Lucas, Education Director
Bachelors Degree in Family Resource and Human Development from Arizona State University
Trisha Lucas has been involved with Desert Sun for nearly 26 years. She began as a teacher and became the Director of Education in 2003. This position assists her in pursuing her passion of working with young children and early childhood education. She is a strong advocate of the child as well as the family unit.
Email: trisha@desertsun.org, trishal@dscdc.org
Susan Femiani, Business Administration Director
Masters Degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University.
Susan Femiani has been involved with Desert Sun for over 30 years. Starting out as a Desert Sun parent she has since ventured into the classroom and the office. Currently Susan works in the office maintaining the business side of the Center utilizing her MBA from Arizona State University.
Email: susan@desertsun.org, susanf@dscdc.org
Jennifer Conley, Assistant Director & Student Specialist
Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Northern Arizona University.
Jenn’s education and skills allow her to focus on supporting children and families. As well as provide assistance to administration and staff. Teacher Jenn has been with Desert Sun for 6 years but has a combined 12 years in the education field. She has previously taught kindergarten and special education. Her hobbies include health and fitness, yoga, reading, homeopathic living, cooking, camping, and ultimate frisbee.
I believe wholeheartedly in teaching students developmentally appropriate academic standards through play, while also focusing on the child as a whole. Please know I’m always available to answer your questions or address any concerns.
Email: jenniferc@dscdc.org
Teacher Jenn B
Kindergarten Teacher
My name is Jennifer Banaszewski, I will be Teacher Kristen’s kindergarten assistant this year. Last year I had the pleasure of subbing in several different classes. It is such a joy to work with the amazing Desert Sun staff, kiddos, and families. I love Desert Sun and hope that you and your student experience the same joy, calm, and relief that I feel every time I walk onto campus. There is so much growth and magic In these early stages of child development and I love watching the children light up as they make new discoveries and build their intrinsic motivation for learning. I was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona and was a Desert Sun student myself (in the 80’s during the early years of Desert Sun). My degree is Bachelor of Science in Education; I plan to start my Master’s degree soon. I love children and feel very blessed to help guide them, I learn from them every day as well.
I have been married to my husband for 15 years (this fall). We have three children (all of whom were Desert Sun kiddos). They are now 10, 8, and 5. I love spending time with my family, the beach, working out, and yoga.
Jenniferb@dscdc.org
Teacher Jess
TK Assistant Teacher
Jess started as a parent at Desert Sun in 2016 and is excited to join the Desert Sun Staff. She has a BS in Family and Human Development and a Masters Degree in Infant Family Practice from Arizona State University. Before becoming a mom, she worked as an Early Head Start teacher.
In her free time, she likes to watch her kids play sports, exercise, and go on hikes with her family.
Email: jessicas@dscdc.org
Teacher Daniela
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Daniela started out as a Desert Sun parent and began teaching here in 2016. She has a BA in Education and a MA in History and Religious Studies. She is a certified yoga instructor and has taught yoga, music, and German classes to children for many years.
In her free time, she likes to do yoga, stand-up-paddle boarding, read, and spend time outdoors with her family.
Email: danielay@dscdc.org
Teacher Amanda
4 Day - Pre K Teacher
Amanda began as a Desert Sun parent and now assists in the toddler class. Her three children all attended Desert Sun. She has a BA in elementary education and a minor in English.
Amanda enjoys traveling with her family, especially camping in national parks and going to Disney, as well as reading and doing puzzles.
Email: amandab@dscdc.org
Teacher Amanda
4 Day Pre K Assistant Teacher
Amanda has a Bachelor's in Family and Human Development and a Master's in Infant Family Practice from ASU. She also received a Post Bacc in Early Childhood Education.
She has taught preschool and first grade. She has also taught Human Development at Mesa Community College.
She has been a parent at Desert Sun since 2017. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves games, reading, traveling, and the outdoors.
Amandap@dscdc.org
Teacher Lisa
4-Day - Pre-K Teacher
Lisa first visited Desert Sun while she was in the Early Childhood Education program at ASU where she observed in the classrooms. Lisa has a BA in Early Childhood Education and taught 1 st -3 rd grade in the Kyrene school district until she became a mom. Both of her children attended Desert Sun, from the toddler class through kindergarten, where she spent many joyful hours volunteering in her children’s classrooms. Lisa was an early childhood ministry curriculum coordinator for 10 years. She has also taught Pre-Kindergarten, In-home Kindergarten Pods, and substitute taught in the Chandler school district. As a lifelong learner, she continues to take classes to further her knowledge of early childhood development.
Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and fur babies, going for hikes in the beautiful desert, gardening, bird watching (she has several feeders), and watching historical fiction shows.
Lisas@dscdc.org
Teacher Regina
4 Day Pre-K Assistant
Regina first came to Desert Sun through the Kindergarten Project with the Alesi Group, LLC. She came regularly to do video documentation of the Kindergarten, to use as a model for professional development in districts across the state. She had also been an early childhood teacher for about 6 years. She has a BA in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood and is a Certified teacher. She has two children who attend Desert Sun.
In her free time, she enjoys singing, playing guitar or piano, being creative, and traveling or doing anything outdoors with her family.
Reginaa@dscdc.org
Teacher Laurie
Three’s Teacher
Laurie has been teaching at Desert Sun since 2014. She has a BA in Education with a Spanish major. Her children both attended Desert Sun through kindergarten. She was President of PTO during that time.
She enjoys gardening, yoga, and cheering for her 2 favorite teams (GCA High School Baseball and the Cleveland Indians).
Email: laurieo@dscdc.org
Teacher Kelley
Three’s Assistant Teacher
No bio yet…
Email: kelleye@dscdc.org
Teacher Jaime
Three’s Teacher
Jaime has been a member of the Desert Sun Family since 2011. She started as a parent and when her children went on to Elementary school she chose to stay and be a teacher. She has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Development. She also has a Masters in Social Science Administration.
She has two boys and enjoys playing board games and building Legos with them.
Email: jaimec@dscdc.org
Teacher Jana
Three’s Assistant Teacher
Jana has been a parent and volunteer at Desert Sun since 2017 and is excited to be back in the classroom as a part of the Desert Sun staff this year! Before staying home with her kids, she loved being a K-6 General Music Teacher in CUSD. She's also dabbled as a Music Together teacher for 0-5 year olds. Jana has a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance as well as a Post-Baccalaureate in Elementary Education.
Email: janag@dscdc.org
Teacher Heather
Toddler Teacher
Teacher Heather has been teaching at Desert Sun since the year 2000. She has a BA in elementary education with a specialization in early childhood. She has taught every age at Desert Sun except kindergarten, but loves the toddler program the best.
Her hobbies include crafting and reading, especially about new classroom ideas.
Email: heatherh@dscdc.org
Teacher Betsy
Support Staff
Betsy started as a parent at Desert Sun in 2016 and is now thrilled to join as part of the Desert Sun Staff. Her oldest attended Desert Sun for three years and her youngest is currently enrolled. She has a Bachelor in English Literature and Communications. She is a mom. Wife. And a certified yoga instructor.
In her free time she loves a good cup of coffee and conversations with friends. Hiking in the gorgeous desert. Traveling. Practicing yoga and enjoying a lazy afternoon with her family.
Email: betsyt@dscdc.org
Teacher Michelle
Administrative Support
BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Development and a reading endorsement.
Michelle has been a member of the Desert Sun Family since 2004. She became involved as a parent while three of her children and several nieces and nephews attended Desert Sun. She later became staff and has worked as an aide, lead teacher and administration support. Michelle taught transitional kindergarten and first grade while in the public school system.
Michelle volunteers and is a member of the PO Board at a local high school. She loves to spend time cooking, baking and feeding others, enjoys traveling with her husband, cheering on her kids in their life journeys and thoroughly enjoys reading while cuddled up with her dog, Henry.
Email: micheller@dscdc.org